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“This ... underscores our confidence in public finances and
reflects our commitment to fiscal discipline,” Mitsotakis said.
Finance Ministry officials say they plan to reduce debt through
primary surpluses, loan repayments and combating tax evasion.
Greece has rebounded from a 10-year financial crisis that forced
it to borrow tens of billions of euros from its European Union
partners and the International Monetary Fund.
But Mitsotakis' center-right government, elected for a second
term in 2023, is struggling to address a cost of living crisis
that has sapped Greeks' spending power. Despite the lack of any
substantial challenge from opposition parties, the high cost of
living has nibbled away at the government's approval ratings and
triggered union anger.
The country's two main private and public sector unions have
called a general strike for Wednesday that will keep island
ferries in port and disrupt other forms of transport and public
services.
A protest march will be held in central Athens on Wednesday
morning.
The GSEE main private sector union on Monday accused the
government of “refusing to take any meaningful measures that
would secure workers dignified living conditions.”
“The cost of living is sky-high and our salaries rock-bottom,
(while) high housing costs have left young people in a tragic
position,” GSEE chairman Yiannis Panagopoulos said.
According to EU forecasts, Greece's economy is expected to grow
2.1% in 2024 and maintain a broadly similar course over the
following two years.
Unemployment, now below 10%, is expected to keep declining,
while inflation is projected at 3% this year.
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